The history of the founding and development of the scientific school of structural mechanics of the Kiev National University of Construction and Architecture, whose origin is associated with the creation in 1961 of the Research Laboratory of thin-walled spatial structures, is highlighted. The main stages of the path passed by the scientific team of the Research Laboratory were studied, on the basis of which the Institute of Structural Mechanics was created subsequently. It is noted that the main tasks of the scientific school were and are the development of methods and algorithms for numerical analysis for solving the continuum mechanics problems, focused on the use of computer technology, as well as the development of automated systems for calculating of structures in various fields of technology. In our time the staff of the Institute of Structural Mechanics and the Department of Structural Mechanics conduct the relevant fundamental and applied research on the theory and methods of calculations for the strength, stability and oscillation of complex spatial structures under the influence of external influences of various physical nature and the creation of problem-oriented and object-oriented software on this basis. The results are applying for determining of the bearing capacity of building structures and construction, their separate parts, as well as the responsible elements of structures of machines used in various fields of technology. Comprehensive research by scholars was awarded with State Prize of Ukraine. The examples of various responsible structures, energy and mechanical engineering objects for the comprehensive study of which the developed mathematical and software software was applied are presented in the article. It is noted that the scientific staff of the Department and the Institute conducts extensive international cooperation on the implementation of joint research and training. Foreign searchers occupy a prominent place in a wide range of scholars who defended their Ph.D. and Doctoral Science theses within these studies. It is emphasized that the results of research work are being implemented in the educational process constantly. Specialized software, intended for the teaching of educational information (electronic textbook, electronic tutorial) for students to perform settlement work (software complex ASSISTANT), as well as for knowledge control (software CONTROL and OLIMPIAD) are briefly characterized.